Main set: No Man Is an Island / The Mixed Tape / Straw Dog / Television / Learn to Dance / Holiday from Real / Me and the Moon / Amy, I / Punk Rock Princess / Swim / I Woke Up in a Car / The Resolution / Bruised / Synesthesia / Dark Blue / If You C Jordan

Encore: Konstantine / La La Lie

Launching into his first O.C. solo set in Santa Ana. Photo: Kelly A. Swift, for the Register

"A lot of my history is in this room," Andrew McMahon pointed out from the Observatory stage, referring to the venue's previous incarnation as the Galaxy Theatre. "I'm happy to share it with you."

It was here in Santa Ana where a teenage McMahon and his Dana Point alt-rock band Something Corporate made an early demo CD, Ready ... Break, in 2000.

Now that McMahon's other band Jack's Mannequin has ended, the singer/pianist is performing and recording under his own name. A short jaunt opening for fun. commenced earlier this year; another one with O.A.R. starts in June (no local dates, though). And a feather in his career cap comes next week when the NBC series Smash will feature cast members performing the McMahon-penned "I Heard Your Voice in a Dream." His new EP is slated for release April 30.

While past Jack's Mannequin tours often included a few SoCo songs, this solo tour finds him taking a more balanced approach, giving all sides of his catalog equal footing.

Backed by a solid five-piece band (including drummer Jay McMillan and bassist Mike Wagner from his previous group), Thursday's sold out, 80-minute show started with McMahon alone on his brown Baldwin piano for the compelling new ballad "No Man Is an Island." Then wildly enthusiastic fans howled in appreciation upon hearing the opening notes of "The Mixed Tape." Following it with "Straw Dog" provided a powerful 1-2 punch.

McMahon hadn't played his hometown area in quite a while – Jack's played a pair of farewell gigs in L.A. last year for his Dear Jack Foundation – and frequently admitted it was good to be back in Orange County.

"Learn to Dance," the second new tune he unveiled, boasted an upbeat poppy sound, complete with handclaps, synthesizer and prominent percussion. Another strong EP preview track was "Synesthesia" (loosely defined as an unusual perception of color or sound), featuring celestial lyrics and a dense, spacey synth bed concocted by four of the musicians.

Some older selections contained noticeably fuller arrangements, especially "Bruised," "Amy, I" and "Punk Rock Princess," during which McMahon stood on his piano and briefly ventured into the crowd. Organ, psychedelic guitar and smooth backing vocals by four of the guys were welcome additions.

"This song plugged me back into the world," McMahon shared about the stirring "Swim," partially inspired by his battle with leukemia and subsequent stem cell transplant. Later, the vitriolic "If You C Jordan" was prefaced by a funny story about the time when he practically lived at the Galaxy while recording Ready ... Break and attending his high school prom there.

Come encore time, McMahon offered the emotional epic "Konstantine" alone until the band slowly joined in and he appended a quick line from Annie Lennox's "Why."

Seattle synth-rock trio Barcelona – which put out its major-label album Absolutes in 2009 and just self-released the follow up, Not Quite Yours – definitely impressed at the Observatory with a 35-minute warm-up set that at times recalled Keane. Frontman Brian Fennell possesses a self-deprecating sense of humor and rich voice, best exemplified during the soulful "On & Off," a tender "Less Than Two" and a measured cover of Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car," done with airy keyboards and heavenly vocals.

Erland launched the night on a rustic note. Originally hailing from Dana Point but now based in Santa Barbara, the enticing alt-folk quartet's half-hour performance culled from the McMahon produced EP All I've Got and their album On Our Side. With a style reminiscent of Guster, Counting Crows and a little Mumford & Sons, the harmonica-infused "Ain't Worth the Fight" and a good take on Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are a-Changin'" were highlights.

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